Liposuction Vs Tummy Tuck

Question:

Last August, I weighed 202 pounds (6' male, 33 years old). After busting my hump with exercise and changing my diet, I'm now 171, and pretty happy about it. My only problem is the extra flesh I've still got around my midsection. I really can't see myself losing any more weight, but would really like to tighten up that skin. Is it possible? Any suggestions?

If this helps, here's a little info on my day-to-day life. I walk about four-seven miles a day. I lift weights three days a week, and run three miles three days a week. I also bike or rollerblade on weekends.

As far as food is concerned, I eat pretty much all day long. Normal meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and I munch on fruits and veggies throughout the day to keep from being too hungry at mealtime. I also drink a lot of water.

Can anyone give me some advice?

Answer:

Weight is lost in the most available fat stores, often the last places you want to lose it. Once weight is stabilized, you go through a (kind of) smoothing out process in which the fat areas will redistribute. What you call loose skin is actually fat in areas of poor circulation, but it will come off slowly. Keep up the good work--sounds like you are doing great.

According to present day plastic surgery lore there are 5 types of abdomens
1 - requires no surgical treatment
2 - is best treated with liposuction only
3 - is best treated with a combination of liposuction & a mini abdominoplasty/tummy tuck
4 - is best treated with a combination of liposuction & a modified abdominoplasty/tummy tuck
5 - is best treated with a combination of liposuction & a standard abdominoplasty. In relatively few cases there is little or no liposuction needed in a specific patient who lies in one of these categories. Which category you are in depends on the relative amounts of excess skin/fat vs. abdominal muscle laxity you have above vs. below the navel. There are some good plastic surgeons who believe 4 should not exist. Also, there are probably naturalists, trainers, etc. out there who believe none of these should exist except 1. My experience & training lead me to believe that all 5 are valid & that diet & exercise can be combined with any of the 5.

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